Freezer Meal Recipe Collections

Make Ahead Recipes for Christmas Morning Breakfast

I love that time on Christmas morning after the kids have opened their stockings when we all sit down together and eat breakfast. It’s relaxing and quiet and a time for family connection. I used to rush around making the food after the stockings were done. The kids would get grouchy because they were hungry and I felt pressured to get something on the table. Now that I use make ahead recipes for Christmas morning breakfast, things are totally different.

The kids can eat right away because the food is ready and I don’t have to stress about cooking. Instead, I can enjoy my family and be in the moment with them. I love it!

What I do is pop whatever it is I’ve made ahead into the oven as soon as I come down the stairs. Then we can start opening stockings in the living room while the smell of deliciousness starts to creep in from the kitchen. And I don’t have to worry about anything because when we’re done, breakfast is ready to be eaten!

Make Ahead Recipes for Christmas Morning Breakfast:

Make Ahead Cinnamon Freezer French Toast

If you’re looking for more of a make ahead brunch the whole family can enjoy, our make ahead french toast recipe is perfect.

Tater Tot Casserole with Ground Sausage

This is one of the most requested meals for the kids’ birthday suppers and there are cries of joy whenever I announce that I am making it!

The Best Make Ahead Pancake Mini Muffins

These make ahead pancake mini muffins are wonderful to have in the freezer.

Christmas Morning Frittata

The pictures don’t do it justice mainly because my attempt to make it look festive are not Pinterest worthy, but this is one of our favourites. We have it almost every year.

Make Ahead Breakfast Sausage Hand Pies

These simple breakfast hand pies can be made ahead and reheated one at a time for busy mornings.

Taco Breakfast Cups You Can Make Ahead

Having ready to go breakfasts like these taco breakfast cups make mornings so much easier.

Make Ahead Everything Bagels Breakfast Muffins

Making these everything bagels breakfast muffins ahead allows you to grab one on your way out the door or a busy Christmas morning!

French Toast Casserole – Make Ahead Freezer Breakfast

This make ahead French Toast Casserole is great to pop in the oven for an easy weekend breakfast.

Make Ahead Hot Roast Beef or Ham Sandwiches

The handheld sandwiches are great for a large group.

Cheesy Slow Cooker Hash Brown Casserole

This cheesy slow cooker hash brown casserole is perfect for potlucks, brunches or Christmas mornings. You can make it in the crock pot or the oven.

Bacon, toast, egg and cheese muffins

These are SO easy to make and you can prepare them ahead of time. You can make a ton of these in just minutes and store them in the fridge or freezer.

How to make easy freezer pancakes

It only takes a few seconds to warm up in the microwave, and they taste YUMMY still! They last in the freezer about 3 months.

Pancake Muffins Recipe for Freezer

Mix and match your favourite toppings to make these freezer-friendly pancake muffins.

You may also be interested in checking out these to make the holidays even easier:

Make Ahead Holiday Main Courses

Beef Stroganoff Recipes

By Sharla

One of the first meals I ever made for my husband after we got married was beef stroganoff. What I didn’t realize at the time was that he was not really a fan of mushrooms. Given that he had grown up on his family’s mushroom farm, I assumed he ate them often! He let me know that evening that he actually didn’t like mushrooms, but he was a good sport and gave my cooking a try. He liked it so much that he’s been eating mushrooms ever since!

Since that early attempt, I’ve tried many beef stroganoff recipes and our family has a few favorites. No matter which type I decide to make, we all agree that it needs to be served with extra sour cream and served on egg noodles.

If you’re like my husband used to be and mushrooms aren’t really your thing, you can try omitting them, but I think you ought to give them a try and see if this classic comfort food can make you a mushroom believer too!

Beef Stroganoff Recipes:

Our Ground Beef Stroganoff recipe is one that I created with a few tweaks to my mother-in-law’s recipe. I make it as a freezer meal. It’s just total comfort food for me, so I always make several of them at a time. They are fast to heat up and get dinner on the table.

There are so many variations possible when it comes to this universal comfort food recipe such as this Easy One Pot Meatball Stroganoff. It’s ready in just 20 minutes.

This Classic Beef Stroganoff Recipe made from scratch features tender slices of steak and savory mushrooms smothered in creamy brown gravy.

Cooking this in the Crock-Pot gets the beef super tender so that it melts in your mouth. That’s the secret to this Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff.

Making Beef Stroganoff in the Instant Pot speeds up the process, especially if you are using stew meat.

This Ground Beef Stroganoff makes a hearty, comforting dinner the whole family will love.

You don’t have to veer from your diet with this Low carb, Gluten-free Crockpot Beef Stroganoff.

There are many ways to cook this dish. Sous Vide Beef Stroganoff will give you fall apart in your mouth beef while maintaining a medium-rare center to the steak bites. The sauce is creamy, silky, and has full layers of flavor.

If you like the flavors of stroganoff but are looking for something a little bit different, give this Easy Beef Stroganoff Soup a try. Yes, you read that right…soup!

This one doesn’t exactly fit the list because it’s missing the whole “beef” thing, but if you’re looking for the flavors with a different protein, check out this Pressure Cooker Ground Turkey Stroganoff.

With Easy Keto Beef Stroganoff you get filling beef and mushrooms in a low carb creamy sauce piled atop a bed of cauliflower rice.

For something different and also low carb, you can try Beef Stroganoff Burgers.

This keto version of the classic dish is actually a Beef Stroganoff Casserole. It’s topped with cheesy mashed cauliflower.

Where did Beef Stroganoff originate?

Beef Stroganoff originated in Russia where it was spelled Beef Stroganov. It has since become a worldwide classic.

What is Beef Stroganoff?

It is a dish made with beef and mushrooms in a creamy sauce. Now while it originally used “beef”, beef stroganoff recipes now incorporate different cuts of beef from steak to stew meat to hamburger. It can also be made with ground round for vegetarians. You also incorporate sour cream either in the meal itself or served alongside.

Beef Stroganoff is traditionally served over egg noodles and this is one thing you won’t want to stray from. They make the perfect pairing. If you don’t like the texture of egg noodles, you could choose another pasta, but it just won’t be the same. A little chopped parsley on the top finishes things beautifully!

Can Beef Stroganoff be frozen?

Yes! In fact, I always make ours as a freezer meal. It freezes beautifully. Plus, when I make it ahead, it means that I always have one in the freezer ready to be pulled out on a day when comfort food is of the essence.

Which wine goes best with Beef Stroganoff?

I am far from a sommelier, but for this question, I turned to the experts in this area. According to them, a red wine is what you want to pair with beef stroganoff. In particular, a rich, fruity wine such as a Shiraz. You can also go with a heavily oaked Merlot. If neither of those meet your fancy, a fruity Pinot Noir will stand up to the mushrooms and hold its own.

That’s a pretty big list of ideas! What’s your favorite version of this dish?

You might also be interested in these recipes:

Freezer to Crock Pot Beef Stew

Make-Ahead Slow Cooker Beef Dip

Beef Curry

Make Ahead Holiday Side Dishes

By Sharla

These make ahead holiday side dishes will give you one less thing to do for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, freeing up important time and energy. You know so that you can make more food! Or visit with family or do that puzzle or watch football. Whatever it is you want to spend your time doing, making side dishes probably isn’t at the top of the list.

Make Ahead Holiday Side Dishes

Honey Maple Glazed Carrots Freezer Meal Side Dish

These are the perfect accompaniment to any holiday meal.

Buffalo Broccoli and Cauliflower

No one has to know that you just pulled these out of your freezer just before cooking.

Make Ahead Southern Cornbread

This goes with just about any meal.

Butternut Squash Freezer Meal Side Dish

Having side dishes such as this one in the freezer allows me to pull out a main and a side dish together and have supper completely done ahead.

Make Ahead Mac and Cheese

Who doesn’t love a good mac and cheese?! It’s the ultimate in comfort food.

Mom’s Classic Make-ahead Bread Stuffing

This is a classic make-ahead stuffing mix you can prep entirely the day before.

Holiday Side Dish – Bacon Cranberry Almond Green Beans

These sautéed green beans with bacon, cranberries, and almonds are delicious and go well alongside anything at your Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.

Spinach Puffs

These are simple, fresh tasting and surrounded by puff pastry, which always makes everything better.

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

The potatoes are cooked to tender perfection in a creamy, cheesy sauce with a golden crunchy top.

Caramelized Onion Gravy

Did someone say “make ahead gravy”? Yep! Make it weeks ahead of time, then just thaw and warm it up in a saucepan on the big day. Having it pre-made takes the pressure off.

You’ll also want to check out:

Make Ahead Holiday Main Courses

Make Ahead Main Dishes for your Holiday Meal

By Sharla

The holiday season can be such a busy time. Being able to make some of the meal ahead of time takes some of the busyness and rush out of the day of. These make ahead main dishes can be made and frozen ahead and then cooked when needed.

Make Ahead Main Dishes for your holiday meal

Apple Maple Chicken Dump Recipe

This apple maple chicken dump recipe is delicious and can be cooked in the oven or the crock pot. It has an interesting blend of flavours that go so well together.

Hearty Sausage and Zucchini Soup

This hearty sausage and zucchini soup is the ultimate in warm winter comfort food. This make ahead meal is packed full of flavour.

Make Ahead Apple Pork Chops

This freezer meal is a little bit more involved in terms of the prep ahead, but it’s worth it. The apples make these Apple Pork Chops the perfect Fall or holiday recipe.

Chickpea Butternut Squash Fajitas

These chickpea butternut squash fajitas are a vegetarian freezer meal. They are colourful. They are healthy. These are also gluten free if you use gluten free tortillas to wrap them in.

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

A cold day is the perfect time for this Instant Pot white chicken chili. It’s hearty, yet light. This recipe freezes beautifully, so it’s great to make ahead and pull out on busy weekdays.

Freezer Chicken Pot Pie Filling

It has the perfect crispness and the sauce was just right.

Freezer Corn Chowder with Bacon

This freezer corn chowder recipe is one that you are going to thank me for sharing.

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Quesadillas

These are really, really good. It may sound like a strange combination of ingredients, but these are delicious!

Chili Hash Brown Casserole Freezer Meal

This chili hash brown casserole is perfect for potlucks or brunches. I can quickly make it the day before in the crock pot and then put it in the fridge overnight or throw it in the oven 45 minutes before eating.

The Best Freezer Prune and Olive Chicken Recipe

This crock pot meal can be made as a freezer meal and is gluten free.

Freezer to Crockpot Beef Stew

Beef Stew is an all-time comfort food that goes great on those cold fall and winter days.

More Make Ahead Main Dishes:

Cranberry Chicken

This is an incredibly easy recipe – and delicious! Just mix it up before going to work, then pop it in the oven when you get home in the evening. The sauce that forms while baking tastes great on rice.

Make Ahead Sausage Casserole

Not only is this Sausage Casserole really good, it’s super easy to put together. Just a quick whisk of the eggs and milk, a little mustard and salt for seasoning and it’s ready!

Roasted Pumpkin Soup

Instead of sugar pumpkins, you can use other winter squash.

Cranberry Dijon Pork

What a delicious treat for a main course!

Crockpot Spaghetti Squash & Meatballs

Did you know that you can cook a spaghetti squash in your crock pot?!

Pork with Sweet Potatoes and Apples

This dish is super affordable and tasty.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Roast

With only four simple ingredients, this is sure to be gentle on your wallet as it wows your family!

Make Ahead Sandwiches and Wraps for Lunches

By Sharla

I know I can’t be the only one who dreads packing school lunches! Thankfully, years ago, I discovered that I could transfer the concept of freezer meals into things that I could put in their lunch boxes. These make-ahead sandwiches and wraps are perfect for exactly that.

You can spend an afternoon preparing these and then not have to think about school lunches for the rest of the month. Your kids can just pull out what they want to pack in their lunch each day.

Make-Ahead Sandwiches and Wraps:

Our Hot Beef or Ham Sandwiches can be served hot or cold. If your child’s school has a microwave they can use, they can heat them up or you can heat them ahead and send in a thermos, but they are also good cold.

There’s no need to purchase Uncrustables with this recipe for Freezable Homemade Uncrustables from Make-Ahead Meal Mom. Making your own allows you to know exactly what’s in them and they are so much less expensive than the store-bought ones.

If you have a child with allergies, you will likely prefer these Homemade Gluten-Free Allergy-Free Uncrustables from Strength and Sunshine.

The Ham and Swiss Puff Pockets from Make-Ahead Meal Mom are another example of something you could buy store-bought. Making the homemade version is healthier and cheaper. You won’t believe how few ingredients you’ll need either!

Check out the Tortilla Pizza Rollups from On My Kids Plate. They can be made ahead and frozen and then taken out for packing in school lunches.

The freezer-friendly Ham and Cheese Pinwheels on The Coupon Project are simple are a such kid-pleaser.

These Chicken Avocado Salad Roll-Ups from Oh My Goodness Chocolate Desserts are healthy and colorful. Make a big batch, wrap, and freeze.

Thriving Home has a recipe for Make-Ahead Lunch Wraps that can be packed for lunches or eaten as an after-school snack.

For those discerning palates and foodies-in-the-making, try Awake by Grace’s Freezer Friendly Chicken Parm Wraps.

Another healthy option is the Black Bean and Quinoa Freezer Burritos on Hey Nutrition Lady.

Santa Fe Spirals from The Appetizer Chick is a simple snack option that can be sliced and used in lunchboxes.

Which of these are you going to try first?

Check out these other make-ahead lunch ideas:

These English Muffin Mini Pizzas are great for school lunches too!

Make-Ahead Mac and Cheese

Freezer Meal Recipe Collections

Make Ahead Recipes for Christmas Morning Breakfast:

Beef Stroganoff Recipes:

Where did Beef Stroganoff originate?

What is Beef Stroganoff?

Can Beef Stroganoff be frozen?

Which wine goes best with Beef Stroganoff?

More Skillet Beef Stroganoff Recipes:

More Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff Recipes:

More Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff Recipes:

Make Ahead Holiday Side Dishes

Make Ahead Main Dishes for your holiday meal

More Make Ahead Main Dishes:

Make-Ahead Sandwiches and Wraps:

Check out these other make-ahead lunch ideas: